Many people take herbal supplements because they are natural. But, are you aware that certain supplements contain ingredients that affect some prescription or over the counter medications?
According to "Focus" magazine provided by Horizon Blue Cross, here is a list of some common drug-herbal supplement interactions:
Possible Drug Interactions | HERB | DO NOT TAKE WITH | WHY? |
| Garlic | Coumadin (warfarin) | Risk of increased bleeding |
| Ginseng | Coumadin (warfarin) | May prevent warfarin from working properly |
| Ginko Biloba | Coumadin (warfarin)Aspirin Motrin Advil(ibuprofen)Plavix | Risk of increased bleeding |
| Kava Kava | Sleeping aids such as: Valium or Xanax and certain antidepressants | May cause increased sleepiness |
| St John's Wort | Anitdepressants oral contraceptives sleeping aids and transplant drugs | May increase the side effects of antidepressants and sleeping aids such as blood pressure sweating and drowsiness May also prevent oral contraceptives and transplant drugs from working properly |
Be sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about any prescriptions or over the counter drugs you are taking when considering herbal supplements.
According to "Focus" magazine provided by Horizon Blue Cross, here is a list of some common drug-herbal supplement interactions:
Be sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about any prescriptions or over the counter drugs you are taking when considering herbal supplements.